Subwoofer for my HT System.

[emorphien]

Now, it might be a different stance that you don't want to plunk down any money without hearing it first, but I consider that a fair trade-off, from a business perspective on the seller's part. I'm just saying that it's a new business model to hear the equipment in your own setup, and with the option to live with it for an extended period of time.

Good shops will often loan you their floor model to try something out at home too, which is really nice. No big money involved but a chance to try it where it counts.

[Dusty Chalk]

Good shops will often loan you their floor model to try something out at home too, which is really nice. No big money involved but a chance to try it where it counts.

People keep saying this, but I have yet to experience this myself. Maybe it's the way I look (long haired hippy/scary looking guy), but they usually want me to put the cost of the item down as a deposit ... you know, just in case I don't come back. Of course, to be fair, they'd then have to ask everyone else to do the same.

And to be clear: I don't have a problem with this. In more than one case, I have decided to keep the equipment and not come back. It just saves me a trip. And if you don't have the money to put down on it, then you probably shouldn't be taking it home. And if you're not serious enough about it to plunk the money down, even as a deposit, why the L are you taking it home?

I mean, it's not a black and white thing -- once you bought it, you have to keep it. There's nothing that says that that has to be the way it is. Of course, you should check beforehand that it's returnable. I had one guy (arse-hole, mostly) tell me that if I wanted to return it beyond the 30 day window, I could, but then we'd have to start looking at a restocking fee. I think if I'd have asked if we could waive that, he would've, as the item in question was in a middlin' high demand (limited edition Special 25 speaker from Dynaudio).

[Geoffcin]

People keep saying this, but I have yet to experience this myself. Maybe it's the way I look (long haired hippy/scary looking guy), but they usually want me to put the cost of the money down as a deposit ... you know, just in case I don't come back. Of course, to be fair, they'd then have to ask everyone else to do the same.

I agree with Rusty Hawk on this; Getting a piece of Hi-Fi equipment on loan is a difficult thing unless your talking upscale to major high-end. A $500 sub is not something that there's a big enough markup on that loaning one out makes sense. A $10,000 amp might. Of course you'll also have to have a working relationship with your dealer too, as I can't see anyone loaning you some ML Summit's if you've just walked in off the street.

[RoyY51]

If you're looking to go the internet route (with a 30 day return policy) I urge you to consider the Outlaw LFM-1. I've had mine for about a year now, and I can truthfully say that it's one of the best audio investments that I've ever made. I auditioned several other brands (Hsu, Velodyne, etc...) and none of them matched the value that this $579.00 beast offers. I don't think you're going to find this rare combination of tuneful musicality and feel-it-in-your-chest aggression anywhere else for under $1000. Especially when paying the usual bricks-and-mortar markup.

[emorphien]

Of course you'll also have to have a working relationship with your dealer too, as I can't see anyone loaning you some ML Summit's if you've just walked in off the street.

I'm certainly not a high end customer as a graduate student, but my store remembers me and I suppose I do have a bit of a working relationship with them. They've offered to let me try speakers starting at $800 a pair at home.

But you are all probably right, there's probably a lot of variables. Just going from my experience and what others have said, some shops may work with you if they know you and let you borrow things.

[Geoffcin]

I'm certainly not a high end customer as a graduate student, but my store remembers me and I suppose I do have a bit of a working relationship with them. They've offered to let me try speakers starting at $800 a pair at home.

But you are all probably right, there's probably a lot of variables. Just going from my experience and what others have said, some shops may work with you if they know you and let you borrow things.

And when your talking speakers it makes good sense. However, I wouldn't discount the internet direct-to-consumer manufacturers. My first taste was the Axiom system;

http://www.audioreview.com/AXIOMINTROcrx.aspx

[emorphien]

However, I wouldn't discount the internet direct-to-consumer manufacturers.

I like them quite well. In fact I have Axiom speakers now (which I am looking to upgrade from) but I took the Internet Direct "gamble" on them and was happy.

I think the pro-internet direct argument is easier to handle when you've got more money to work with because dealing with receiving and returning and having your money away from you at that time is somewhat daunting for someone such as myself who doesn't have income from a job. I get a stipend from school but only a little each month gets saved after bills and the like.